FACTS NOT FICTION- PM TUILAEPA
By Nanai Taofiga Laveitiga Tuiletufuga
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi is fully aware of the fables making its public rounds targeting government and the leasing of customary land.
And when asked to comment, Tuilaepa said that he will respond with facts and not fiction.
“Fact one.
“Customary lands cannot be sold or mortgaged according to Article 102 of the Constitution of Samoa,” said the Prime Minister.
“However, customary land can only be leased.
“Customary lands could also be taken for public purpose under the Taking of Land Act 1964.
“If Government wants to allow customary land to be sold or mortgaged, then it must first amend Article 102.
“So for the sake of the fable authors, government has no intention to amend Article 102,” said Tuilaepa noting that a Press Statement will attest to that. (The Statement from the Office of the Attorney General is published in today’s issue.)
“Fact two,” continued the Prime Minister. “Villages are reaping the fruits from leasing their customary lands.”
“A number resorts are operating on lease lands.
“Through the leasing of customary lands, the land owners are paid handsomely.
“These accommodation resorts have also generated hundreds of new employment opportunities for the villagers in their vicinities.
“Simply put, the leasing of customary lands is also part of parcel of the government’s development framework to provide an environment targeting new job opportunities for the hundreds of school leavers each year.
“For the critics of Government, it may be difficult for them to comprehend or understand.
“Subsequently, because this is not a new issue, my concern is that the fictional literature which has again resurfaced is nothing more and nothing less than a lot of hot air.
“And that is not helping anyone but increasing gas emissions which are the root of the unpredictable climate change threatening the globe including Samoa.”
About 81% or 567,000 acres of lands are under customary ownership with the rest under government as public lands with freehold land accounting for the remaining 4%.
Latest report from the MNRE Land’s Division show that less than 1% of communal lands are leased out for developments which leaves over 500-thousand acres untouched and screaming for development into plantations and other purposes.
